[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=29971.msg881978#msg881978 date=1244107069]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=29971.msg881972#msg881972 date=1244106754]
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=29971.msg881962#msg881962 date=1244106329]
[quote author=Buddha link=topic=29971.msg881944#msg881944 date=1244105508]
All this talk about Chelsea trumping us for Johnson with a higher offer seems to ignore the reported release clause put in his contract at his insistence last summer. Wasn't it about 11/12m? If so, that'd be all we have to offer to talk to the lad - and if he's any sense he'd choose Anfield.
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Life doesn`t work like that, though. Chelsea have as good title credentials as we and are far more likely to offer him a higher wage package. If you think it's the obviously "sensible" decision to choose us, you're delusional.
I rate Johnson highly and would love to see him sign for us (even though I like Arbeloa and think a lot of the recent criticism of his is OTT) but if Chelsea are willing to pay big for him, he will return there.
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The "sensible" decision in your eyes is to return to the club which previously couldn't find a place for you, who
since then have spent £16M on Bosingwa, a player who has had a strong debut season?
Chelsea will prove tempting to him providing they come in with mega-wages, granted, but to suggest they'd be way out in front of us is nonsense. He's just broke into the England team and with Capello declaring Johnson as Englands number 1 right-back yesterday, he's going to be look to be playing as much football as possible, and, as it stands, we can offer him far greater assurances.
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Choosing City over us wasn't the most "sensible" decision for Barry to make either, given his stated desire to play in the Champions League, was it?
If all things were equal in terms of transfer fee, wages, etc., certainly I think Johnson would likely come here. However, given that this is not likely to be the case, he may very well go back to Chelsea. He has improved his play quite a bit since Chelsea sold him and, while Boswinga is a very good fullback, if Johnson has confidence in his own ability he may well feel he can earn the spot.
I don't mean to suggest Chelsea are "way out in front" but I don't think coming to us is an obvious choice either. We need to compete with our rivals in terms of wages and fees in addition to providing the right environment and playing opportunities.
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Barry's a fair comparison to a point because he definitely chased the wage over holding out for guaranteed CL football, but there are several key differences; firstly he's going to stroll into that City side and keep his England spot. Secondly Barry will find himself surrounded by very good players before the end of his career and probably will play in the CL whilst wearing that light blue shirt.
As for 'having confidence in his own ability' well that's a given for any player moving into the top four. It doesn't change the fact that you'll look at your direct competition and think about you chances of getting in. Managers like to rely upon a settled back-line and once you've been 'judged' it can take a lot of good performances and hard work to become a regular again (athough conversely Johnson can looking to an attacking player, SWP, to see how harmful moving to Chelsea can be, as well as relying on his own experience)
I think we're in agreement that it would be a close decision, but from a footballing perspective we're the greater proposition and it's certainly not "delusional" to suggest so.
